So, I went today with my granddaughter to see the new Maker Space for Staten Island – had my camera with me – meant to take pictures and never took one. I didn’t even know that until I got home. When I come in from meeting new people, I empty out my purse and sort all the business cards, notes on 3×5 cards and other flyers, info, etc. and reset everything to go another time. When I did that, there was my camera and not one picture of the Maker Space that we went to see.

The space is going to be interesting and absolutely an amazing addition to the community. I wish we had about four of those Maker Spaces on Staten Island in different areas – including one down the street from me next to the building supply companies that are sitting right here.

I might have to build one to go with their nifty new Maker Space on the other side of the island. Then we could use both of them and maybe talk some people into creating a couple more for other areas of the island. There is actually an engineering school on this island – I keep wondering if they know anything about the new Maker Space being opened up here.

It is sometimes as if the pony express time and distance equation works here for getting local information about available resources to anybody. And, that – despite the fact there were articles written in the local and national papers about this – and it was placed on local news calendars that are broadcast on cable. Still, most people don’t seem to know anything about it.

– cricketdiane

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NY Times article describes some nifty mechanica style art currently on display in NYC.

A Belgian artist blends the shapes of industrial machinery with medieval architecture to create Gothic art. A model is on display at the Museum of Arts and Design in Manhattan. (click on link below to go read this article – very nifty.)

The two sites above about the kinetica art are worth going to see – in person which I haven’t gotten to do yet, or definitely online. Amazing. And, hopefully more of that perspective will awaken around and through and because of the new makers space on Staten Island. I do hope so.

(my note)

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Electrically Conductive Paint for Walls, Tshirts, Paper, Etc. –

Inspired by this, Nelson and fellow students Isabel Lizardi, Becky Pilditch and Matt Johnson launched Bare Conductive in September 2011 and began to sell “Bare Paint” online for people to experiment with (one 50ml pot costs £18). They now make educational classroom kits, bespoke greeting-card kits and customisable badge kits.

What is littleBits?

We aim to move electronics from late stages of the design process to its earliest ones, and from the hands of experts, to those of artists, makers, students and designers. (my note – components are color-coded and specific to tasks / work where anyone can set up something to move, or to make sound, or to make lights, etc. quickly and see how it is done at the same time – learning by doing and creating.)

I hope to see a waterjet cutter along with some other large equipment like it – sponsored for the Maker Space on Staten Island. Even my granddaughter who went to see the space with me asked about where the water cutter would be – and then explained to the man who does metal working with many traditional tools sitting in his studio – that he needs one of those things that cuts with water – She is six years old. – She actually did that yesterday when we were there – true story.

Okay – well. Aside from wanting to put four or five of the newer videos of the light festivals from Belgium, Paris, Toronto, and others – this will be enough for right now. And, I’ll post those videos across the next couple posts.